An economy that works.

For everyone.

We invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.

We call these businesses employment social enterprises (or ESEs, for short).

How We Invest:

Chef trainee at employment social enterprise Kitchens for Good holds out a bowl of fresh food

Capital

We fuel the growth of this movement through grants, impact investments, and by unlocking public sector capital, yielding these results:

$2.23 Social Return on Investment (SROI) for every dollar invested

$2.5 billion+ cumulative revenue earned by ESEs since 1997

133K+ people employed

Capacity

We combine that capital with customized capacity-building support that helps these businesses go further, faster.

6x growth in people employed

2x growth in revenue earned for ESEs

59k+ jobs created from 2021-2023

Community

As we build the field, we also build the sense of community that fuels it — connecting leaders more deeply with the work and each other.

91% of leaders feel a sense of support

87% of leaders feel a sense of belonging and inclusion

I am excited to continue advocating for a more inclusive workplace and help others break through corporate barriers with the support of REDF.

REDF is an incredible organization. It has my undying commitment and passion because it is, to me, the secret sauce — the one thing that works for people with high barriers to employment.

REDF's role as a trailblazer in the employment social enterprise sector has created a wealth of opportunities for those excluded from the workforce. The Justice and Mobility Fund, a collaboration launched by The Ford Foundation and Blue Meridian Partners with support from the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, has been pleased to call REDF an investee in pursuit of our mutual goal of boosting economic mobility for justice-impacted individuals.

Courtney WeltonSVP, General Counsel, Business Law & Compliance, and Chief Ethics and Privacy Officer, Allstate Insurance Company

Susan PortugalSVP, Environmental, Social, and Governance Program Director, Bank of America

Le'Ann DuranSenior Director and Co-Lead, Justice and Mobility Fund Blue Meridian Partners (Funded REDF since 2022)

Explore More

2023 Impact Report

A landmark year: $2.5B in Revenue Earned, 133K People Employed.

Learn More

Gift Guide

Presents that propel change, and help support an economy that works. For everyone.

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Support REDF

Donate today and help create a future where everyone can flourish.

Donate Today

Since 1997, REDF has invested in over 302 employment social enterprises.

We’ve helped hundreds of employment social enterprises balance purpose and profit. Here are just a few:

Latest News

Group photo of the 2024 cohort participants in the EMI Incubator program in LA

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Building New Social Enterprises: The LA County EMI Incubator

Twenty-five active Los Angeles-area nonprofits have joined the EMI Incubator's first cohort, which will prepare them to launch revenue-generating social...

9.10.24

By Lauren Taylor

Impact Investing, Press, Press Release

Press Release: Ford Foundation, RIIF Partner to Invest Millions to Support Local Businesses in Appalachia

9.4.24

Impact Investing

Transforming Lives Behind Bars: A Visit to The Last Mile at San Quentin

RIIF visits San Quentin Rehabilitation Center to explore the work of Oakland-based nonprofit The Last Mile.

9.3.24

By Riya Annamraju

Do you run a social impact business that hires overlooked talent?

We’d love to learn more about you and your potential fit with our programs.

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